Bangkok: Thailand is gearing up to lodge a formal protest if Cambodia is found to have laid new landmines, a move that would violate the 1999 Ottawa Convention. This development comes after three Thai rangers stepped on a mine while on patrol. Joint discussions have also been conducted regarding a Cambodian woman causing chaos at Ta Muen Thom Temple. Measures are now in place to strictly screen tourists and coordinate Thai-Cambodian teams to ensure the safety of visitors without escalating tensions.
According to Thai News Agency, Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, and Ms. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the outcomes of a meeting held by the Special Operations Center for the Administration of the Situation on the Thai-Cambodian Border (SOC). Rear Admiral Surasan explained the situation involving General Nattapol Nakphanit, who visited injured soldiers at Saraphithiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province. These soldiers were victims of landmines during a patrol mission in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani.
The soldier who lost his left leg due to a landmine has been provided with full welfare assistance, including a promotion from Private to Sergeant, a monthly allowance, and a significant lump sum from various agencies. The government is also considering appointing a replacement heir, offering special consideration to the soldier's sister if she wishes to join the government. Additional benefits include a Freedom Defender Medal and a Class 3 Veteran's Card.
Rear Admiral Surasan noted that the Army's Mine Unit has dispatched a humanitarian mine action unit to collect evidence and determine whether the mines are new or old. If new mines are confirmed, it would breach the Ottawa Convention, to which both Thailand and Cambodia are signatories. Thailand has pledged not to overlook such violations and will act accordingly if its sovereignty is infringed upon.
In addressing an incident involving a Cambodian woman at Ta Muen Thom Temple, both Thai and Cambodian officials have agreed on measures to avert similar occurrences. A coordination team from each side will manage any tourist-related issues, and stricter tourist screening procedures will be implemented. Ms. Maratee emphasized the importance of maintaining peace at the border crossing and requested Cambodia's cooperation in coordinating border opening and closing times.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed condolences for the injuries sustained by the Thai soldiers and stressed that an investigation is ongoing. Both Thailand and Cambodia are committed to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which prohibits the use and stockpiling of mines. Any confirmed violation would not only be disappointing but also a breach of the convention. Should evidence support such a violation, Thailand will explore appropriate actions, including direct protests and bilateral negotiations.
Thailand upholds international law and remains committed to resolving the current tensions through bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), Regional Border Committee (RBC), and General Border Committee (GBC). An official request for a special JBC meeting, to be hosted by Thailand in September in Bangkok, is in preparation.